Category: MIL-OSI

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Defense News: Upgrades to Navy Fitness Centers Help Improve Quality of Life for Military, Civilians

Source: United States Navy

By the end of September, four Navy fitness centers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) will be open around the clock and in May, gyms were outfitted with $600,000 in new fitness apparatus.

JBPHH Fitness Center celebrated the start of 24/7 access this month with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Two other gyms – Pier Side Fitness Center and the Wahiawa Annex Fitness Center – are scheduled for round the clock access by Sept. 30. Hickam Fitness Center has had 24/7 access since 2017 but will be updating its computer system and offering expanded access to its showers and basketball court.

“I am thrilled that we’re able to provide 24/7 gym access to the service members on the joint base. We will continue to do everything we can to improve the quality of life on the base,” said Capt. Samuel White, JBPHH commander.

Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), which oversees all 70 Navy bases around the globe, signed a memorandum on March 8 authorizing installation commanding offers to move forward with implementing 24-hour entry to fitness facilities. “If we require our Sailors to be physically fit and healthy so they can fulfill the Navy mission and deploy at a moment’s notice, then we must provide the facilities and resources for them to do so,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command. “Not only does this make sense, it is the right thing to do for the quality of life of our Sailors and other service members.”

Military personnel stand duty at varying hours of the day, including night shifts, depending on their roles and responsibilities. As a result, service members often had difficulty getting to the MWR gym during normal business hours and were forced to find alternatives.

“Maximizing access to fitness facilities makes it more convenient for our Sailors,” Gray said. “We all know that exercise benefits one’s physical health, but it also reinforces mental, emotional, and social health, which are important for our Sailors’ overall wellbeing.”

In addition to 24/7 access, four manned fitness centers received $600,000 worth of new gym equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, strength training machines and squat racks.

In the past, gyms on Navy installations with 24/7 access did not allow the use of any free weights like squat racks, Olympic benches, Smith machines, and dumbbells over 75 pounds, according to Dawn Pierce, sports and fitness program director for Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) and JBPHH, JB9. This current rollout does, a key benefit for Sailors and civilians who like to weight train.

Pierce added that the Department of Defense requires that Navy fitness centers update at least 20% of their gym equipment each year.

Melissa Darling, the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) director for JBPHH, said unmanned fitness centers are also benefitting from the equipment upgrade. The gently used equipment replaced by the new gym equipment is being distributed among five unmanned Navy gyms: Family Fitness Center, Ford Island Fitness Center, Makalapa Fitness Center, and West Loch Fitness Center.

To gain 24/7 gym access, registration is required and is only for authorized users 18 years of age and older. The process can be completed at any participating fitness center and involves completing a form to create a household within the MWR system. The fitness center user must then register their common access card (CAC) for updated access privileges.

Darling said the fitness center upgrades will have positive and lasting impacts.

“Ultimately … the fitness program is essential to mission readiness and contributes directly to our MWR mission,” she said. “This is hopefully going to have a positive effect on the quality of life for our military service members.”

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Defense News: Bernard Takes Helm at NPS’ Center for Homeland Defense and Security

Source: United States Navy

Bernard, a CHDS alumnus, took the helm at his alma mater starting in July. He comes from the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), a component of DOD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), where he served as the Talent Portfolio Director as well as Acting Managing Director.

“I’m immensely grateful to have been appointed CHDS Director, and I’m looking forward to working with the outstanding faculty, staff, and students at the nation’s leading homeland security educational institution,” Bernard said. “I see this as an opportunity to continue contributing to the growth and innovation of the homeland security enterprise using empathy, systems thinking, and creative problem-solving while building trust and collaborative partnerships.”

Bernard referred to himself as a “strategist, innovative problem solver, and storyteller” working in the national and homeland security mission space. He takes over for longtime CHDS Director Glen Woodbury, who retired last summer after two decades with the institution, headquartered in Monterey, Calif.

Jodi Stiles has served as interim CHDS Director since Woodbury’s retirement. In a message to CHDS staff, Stiles said she was “excited to welcome Greg aboard, and I am really looking forward to his ideas and energy for the center.”

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, President of NPS, said Bernard is an ideal choice to lead CHDS into the future, noting his reputation as an innovator at the federal level and his knowledge and experience with the institution’s educational programs.

“Dr. Bernard brings broad experience in developing solutions to complex problems across a range of federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, academia, and the international community,” Rondeau said. “We are looking forward to his ideas on how to continue and further grow CHDS’ excellence.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said, “Dr. Bernard’s distinguished federal service and his dedication to government innovation has prepared him to not only lead CHDS but propel the center forward. We look forward to the contributions he’ll make to advance our nation’s collective readiness and resilience to future threats.”

As NSIN Talent Portfolio Director, Bernard led a team responsible for changing the way the Department of Defense solves problems by building a diverse network, and delivering innovation programming designed to solve national security problems by matching them with non-traditional problem-solving communities, primarily in venture and academia.

Bernard has worked with the U.S. government since 2003, when he joined the DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) as a contractor working on the Homeland Security Grant Program. He left his contracting firm in 2005 and joined ODP as a federal program manager.

In 2007, Bernard was approached by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to help establish their Office of State and Local Affairs. In addition, he has worked in the Operations Support Directorate, developing state and local preventative radiological/nuclear detection capabilities. He also served as a risk assessment subject matter expert and Principal Deputy Assistant Director for Architecture and Plans, providing leadership and oversight of the organization responsible for the development, analysis and enhancement of the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA).

Later, in 2016, Bernard served as the senior DHS representative to the first U.S.-China Counter Nuclear Smuggling dialogue and frequently briefed Congressional members and staff on national security risk and the GNDA. His last post at DHS was as the Acting Innovation Officer and Acting Chief of Strategic Analysis for the National Risk Management Center within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Bernard graduated from CHDS in 2012 with a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies. His thesis was titled, “Whistleblowing in a Wikileaks World: A Model for Responsible Disclosure in Homeland Security.” He also helped found the CHDS HSx Program and completed that program in 2019.

Additionally, Bernard received a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Civil Security, Leadership, Management, and Policy in 2016 from New Jersey City University. His dissertation was titled, “Who is Professor Plum: A Framework for Defining Non-State Adversaries.”

A native of Maryland, Bernard lives in Monterey with his wife and two daughters.

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Defense News: SECNAV Del Toro Issues Letter to Congress Concerning Continuing Resolution

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON -­­­ Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro issued a letter to Congressional leaders detailing the concerns and impacts of a six-month continuing resolution (CR) on the Navy and Marine Corps today, Sept. 16, 2024.

“This lengthy delay in new funding would force the Department of the Navy (DON) to operate at last year’s funding levels with the negative consequences lasting far beyond the time frame of the CR, impeding our ability to field the force needed to defend our nation while imposing unnecessary stress on our Sailors, Marines, Civilians, and their families,” said Secretary Del Toro.

Secretary Del Toro described how the CR would delay deliveries of the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, in addition to delaying critical investments in the submarine industrial base.  

“The Department of the Navy stands ready to assist Congress in any way possible to ensure it has the information and resources to pass this essential legislation,” said Secretary Del Toro. “This is the best thing to do to support our nation’s defense.”

Read the full letter here.

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South Dakota Surgical Hospital Agrees to Pay More Than $12.7M to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Siouxland Surgery Center LLP, doing business as Dunes Surgical Hospital (Dunes), United Surgical Partners International Inc. (USPI) and USP Siouxland Inc. have agreed to pay approximately $12.76 million to resolve alleged False Claims Act violations relating to improper financial relationships between Dunes and two physician groups. Dunes is a surgical hospital located in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Since July 1, 2014, USPI has maintained partial ownership of Dunes through USP Siouxland, a wholly owned subsidiary of USPI. Dunes and USPI disclosed the arrangements at issue to the government following an internal compliance review and independent investigation.

The settlement resolves allegations that, from at least 2014 through 2019, Dunes made significant financial contributions to a non-profit affiliate of a physician group whose physicians referred patients to Dunes. Those payments allegedly funded the salaries of athletic trainers who generated referrals to both the physician group and to Dunes. The settlement also resolves allegations, that during the same time period, Dunes provided another physician group with free or below-fair-market-value clinic space, staff, and supplies. The United States alleged that these arrangements violated both the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly known as the Stark Law. The AKS prohibits the provision of remuneration to induce the referral of services or items that are paid for by a federal health care program. The Stark Law prohibits hospitals from billing for certain services referred by physicians with whom the hospital has a financial relationship, unless that relationship satisfies one of the law’s statutory or regulatory exceptions. A claim submitted in violation of the AKS or the Stark Law can also violate the False Claims Act.     

“The AKS and Stark Law are designed to ensure that decisions about patient care are based on physicians’ independent medical judgment and not their personal financial interest,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will hold accountable those who violate these important safeguards, but we will also give to those who disclose their wrongdoing, take appropriate remedial actions and meaningfully cooperate with the government’s investigation.”      

In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Dunes and USPI took a number of significant steps entitling them to credit for cooperating with the government. Following an internal compliance review and independent investigation, Dunes and USPI promptly took remedial actions and disclosed the relevant arrangements to the government. Dunes and USPI also provided the government with a detailed and thorough written disclosure and cooperated with the government throughout its investigation.  

“Illegal kickbacks and self-referrals make healthcare more expensive and create the potential for medical decisions that are not based on what is best for patients,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy T. Duax for the Northern District of Iowa. “Our office welcomes the cooperation of those who self-disclose and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that taxpayers do not bear the costs of illegal and unethical practices.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to fostering a healthcare environment that prioritizes patient well-being above all,” said U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell for the District of South Dakota. “We stand firmly against any actions that could undermine the trust and transparency that form the cornerstone of patient care and remain committed to working closely with healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to promote ethical practices to ensure patients receive the highest standard of care.”

“Individuals and entities that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey laws designed to preserve the integrity of program funds and ensure the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Together with our federal and state law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating allegations of improper arrangements that can put patient safety at risk.”

The settlement resolves allegations of false billings to the Medicare, TRICARE and Medicaid programs. The Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal and state governments. In addition to the approximately $12.76 million to be paid to the federal government for alleged violations of the False Claims Act, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska will collectively receive approximately $1.37 million for their share of the Medicaid portion of the settlement.   

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota; and HHS-OIG.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

Trial Attorney Nathan Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Gray for the Northern District of Iowa and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Warner for the District of South Dakota handled the matter.

The claims resolved by the United States in the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

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Justice Department Expands Tribal Access Program to Improve the Exchange of Critical Data with Federally Recognized Tribes

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department has selected 17 federally recognized Tribes to participate in the continued expansion of the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP), a program that provides Tribal governments with means to access, enter, and exchange data with national crime information systems, including those maintained by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. This announcement follows Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s trips to Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota during which he visited with numerous Tribal and federal law enforcement officials and Tribal leaders to discuss the public safety challenges faced by Tribal communities.

“Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice,” said Attorney General Garland. “The Tribal Access Program provides Tribes with the crime information they need to investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, protect vulnerable persons, and ensure justice for victims. It reflects the Justice Department’s steadfast commitment to working with our Tribal law enforcement partners to protect those living in Indian Country.”

With this expansion, TAP now supports 149 Tribes and more than 460 Tribal government agencies.

“The Tribal Access Program has enhanced our efforts in the administration of criminal justice within the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas reservation,” said Interim Tribal Police Director Epifanio Ruiz of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. “During the performance of our duties, the Tribal police department has effectively apprehended subjects within the Tribal nation who have outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions thus enhancing the safety and wellbeing of the community.”

TAP provides training as well as software and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI CJIS systems.  

The Justice Department began TAP in 2015 in response to concerns raised by Tribal leaders about the need to have direct access to federal systems. Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; registered convicted sex offenders; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; entered orders that prevent dangerous prohibited persons from obtaining firearms; run criminal histories; identified and arrested fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.

The following additional Tribes have been selected for participation in TAP:

  1. Catawba Indian Nation
  2. Crow Tribe
  3. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
  4. Native Village of Gakona
  5. Northern Cheyenne Tribe
  6. Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council
  7. Quileute Tribe
  8. Snoqualmie Indian Tribe
  9. Village of Dot Lake
  10. Walker River Paiute Tribe
  11. Caddo Nation
  12. Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians
  13. Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
  14. Karuk Tribe
  15. Shawnee Tribe
  16. Yerington Paiute Tribe of the Yerington Colony & Campbell Ranch
  17. Kiowa Indian Tribe

TAP is managed by the Justice Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and the Office of Tribal Justice. It is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART), the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

For more information on TAP, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.